Disk harrow



Patented May 9, 1950 DISK HARROW Rollie H. Mitchell, Huntington Park, and William R. McKay, Compton, Calif., assignors to John Deere Killefer Company, a corporation of California Application March 30, 1944, Serial N 0. 528,797

11 Claims.

The present invention relates generally to disk harrows and more particularly to disk barrows of the type in which the disks are mounted on a tubular support which is mounted on totally enclosed hearings on a stationary axle rigidly carried by the gang frame, the tubular support serving as an enclosure for lubricant for the bearings mounted therein. The principal object of the present invention relates to the provision of a tubular bearing construction of novel and improved design which more effectively retains the lubricant and excludes dust and dirt and is therefore more durable and requires less frequent attention.

Another object of the present invention has to do with a, disk harrow tubular bearing construction of improved accessibility, providing for removal and disassembly of the axle and bearings Without disturbing the disks mounted on the tubular member, and also permits disassembly of the disks from the tubular member without disturbing the bearing assemblies or the sealing means.

These and other objects and advantages of our invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art after a consideration of the following description, in which reference is had to the drawings appended hereto, in which Figure 1 is a sectional elevational view taken in section along an axial plane of a disk harrow gang having tubular bearings embodying the principles of the present invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged portion of Figure 1 showing the details of the sealing means at the right end of the gang as viewed in Figure 1.

The disk gang, indicated in its entirety by reference numeral l, comprises a cylindrical supporting tube 2, upon which are mounted a plurality of axially spaced concavo-convex disks 3. Each of the disks 3 is provided, as is wellknown to those skilled in the art, with a central aperture d of non-circular conformation, preferably square, and appreciably larger than the outer periphery of the tube '2. The disks 3 are rigidl mounted on the tube 2 in axially spaced relation, by means of spacing spools 5, each of which is provided with a central aperture 6 adapted to slidably receive the tube 2, and has at one end a, disk mounting portion 1 of square periphery adapted to receive the square aperture G of one of the disks 3 to prevent rotation of the disk relative to the spool. A radially extending flange portion 8 disposed adjacent the supporting portion 1, is provided with a concave surface 9 against which the convex surface of the associated disk 3 lies in abutment. Each of the spools 5 is provided at its opposite end with a radially extending flange portion l0 having a convex end face ll adapted to fit against the concave surface of the adjacent disk to secure the latter rigidly against the flange 8 of the adjacent spool. A square recess [2 is provided in the end of each spool to receive the square disk mounting portion 1 of the adjacent spool in interlocked relation.

The disk at One end of the assembly is mounted on an end bracket [5 having a disk mounting portion [6 which is internally threaded at H to receive the end of the tube 2, the latter being also threaded to cooperate with the bracket threads.

The disk mounting portion I6 is provided with a square outer periphery to slidably receive the central aperture 4 of the end disk 3. The end disk at the opposite end of the gang is secured against the concave surface 9 of the adjacent spool 5 by means of a clamping ring 18, adapted to bear against the concave surface of the disk and having a central recessed portion IQ of square cross section adapted to receive the disk mounting portion 1 of the adjacent spool. The clamping ring I8 is also provided with a central aperture 20 adapted to slidably receive the tube 2 for centering the ring it on the axis of the tube. This end of the tube 2 is threaded at 2! to receive a clamping nut 22, which can be drawn up tightly against the clamping ring [8 and secure the disks and spools in tightly clamped relation between the nut 22 at one end of the tube 2 and the end bracket l5 at the opposite end of the tube.

The tube 2 is rotatably supported on an axle 25 by means of a pair of journal bearings disposed within opposite ends of the tube 2 and indicated in their entirety by reference numeral 26, 2'5, respectively. The axle 25 comprises a solid bolt having a nut 28 at one end thereof and a nut 29 on the opposite end, which is suitably threaded to receive the nut. The bolt 25 is adapted to beinserted through suitable boltreceiving apertures 30 in the end members 31 ofthe gang frame and is rigid with respect to the latter. l

The bearing 26 at one end of the gang comprises a bearing sleeve 35 having'a cylindrical outer bearing surface 36 on which the tube 2 is journaled. The interior aperture 3'! in the sleeve 35 is adapted to slidably fit over the axle bolt 25, and the sleeve is secured to the axle 25 by means of a pin 38, which extends through radially aligned apertures in the axle 25 and sleeve 35,

respectively, preventing relative rotation and relative axial movement of the sleeve 35 relative to the axle.

Lubricant is supplied to the bearing 25 through an axially drilled passage 39 extending inwardiy from the head of the bolt 25. A suitable lubricant fitting (not shown) can be threaded into a tapped opening 40 in the head 28. A radially extending lubricant passage 4| connects the passage 39 with an enlarged portion 42 within the interior of the bearing sleeve 35, serving as a lubricant passage around the bolt 25. A plurality of radially extending passages 43 connect the passage 42 with the bearing surface 36. An axially extending groove 44 connects the passage 42 in communica tion with the hollow interior Q of the tube 2, which serves as a reservoir for the lubricant. The lubricant is retained within the bearing sleeve and reservoir 45 by means of a resilient annular sealing means, preferably in the form of a leather sealing ring 45 having a cylindrical flange portion closely embracing the bolt at the outer end of the sleevev 35, and disposed within an an nular recess 59 in the end of the sleeve around the bolt 25. The leather seal'fifi is provided with a radially extending flange 47, which extends outwardly around the end of the sleeve 35 and is held stationary by means of dowels 43 fixed to a steel, washer 48 cemented to the back of the flange 4'! and extending into dowel sockets 49 in the end of the sleeve 35. The outer or wiping surface of the flange 47 of the leather seal is disposed in sliding or wiping contact with the innor face 59 ofa cap or collar 5|, which is mounted on the bolt 25 and is rigidly connected to an outwardly extending flange portion 52 of the end bracket i5, by means of bolts 53. The end cap 5! is centered by means of a circular recess 54 in the outer surface of the bracket l5, within which the cap 5| extends. The cap 5| is provided with an annular recess 55 extending around the interior surface of the axle-receiving aperture 55. An annular felt washer 51 reposes within the recess 55 and embraces the bolt 25 and serves to exclude dust and dirt as a protection for the leather seal 46,. During operation, the axle 25, bearing sleeve 35, and leather seal 45', are held stationary, while the tube 2, end bracket l5, and cap 5i, rotate about the axis of the bolt 25. The seal, member 46 is maintained in sliding contact-with the inner face of the cap 5| by means of a helical Spring 58 encircling the gang bolt 25 within the recess 59 in the end of the sleeve 35. The spring 58 bears against the edge of the seal 45, which transmits the force of the spring to the wiping flange portion it and coincidentally deforms the seal within the recess 55: causing it to expand between the axle 25 and sleeve 35. Thus, it is evident that the leather seal 45 serves to prevent leakage of the lubricant outwardly between the sleeve 35 and bolt 25 and also from the bearing surfaces around the end of the sleeve 55. Theleather seal also prevents entry of dust and grit, and is assisted by the felt seal 57 the recess 55.

During operation in the held, the disk gang is propelled with the concave sides of the disk facing slightly forwardly, the axis of the gangbeing disposed at an acute angle to the direction of travel.

second ring 56 fitting closely within the tube 2 and rigidly welded to the latter by spot welding through apertures in the tube, as indicated at 61, and a steel bearing washer 68 encircling the gang bolt between the two rings 55, 56. Thus, it is evident that a thrust force acting toward the left upon the disks 3 is transmitted through the tube 2, thrust rings 58, 65, to the axle 25.

The bearing 2'! at the right end of the axle 25 comprises a sleeve 15, which fits slidably but snugly over a portion of the axle 25 which has been turned to a smaller diameter, defining therebetween a shoulder. Mounted on the sleeve 10 is a bearing bushing or sleeve 12, which is keyed to the sleeve 8 by means of a key 73, which prevents relative rotation between the two sleeves TB, 72. The cylindrical outer surface i l of the bearing sleeve 2'2 forms the bearing on which the right end of the tube 2 is journaled. The inner sleeve it is secured against rotation and against movement along the reduced portion ll of the axle, by means of a pin 75, which extends through aligned apertures in the sleeve and the axle portion H, respectively. A thrust ring 15 s welded to the inner end of the inner sleeve l0 and has a thrust surface 11 which. bears against the right side of the thrust ring on the tube 2. While the ring 25 does not take any thrust load during normal operation, there are occasions during transport and under some conditions during turning of the narrow when the thrust is in the opposite direction to the normal thrust, which occasional thrust is transmitted through the rings 55, it to the sleeve l5 and thence to the axle through the pin 15.

The thrust surface 1'! is lubricated by lubricant from the reservoir 55, which passes through a small clearance space 16 between the outerperiphery of the thrust ring 65 and the inner surface of the tube 2, between the thrust rings 65, 56 on both sides of the bearing washer 58 and then through a clearance space 59 between the axle 25 and the thrust ring 56. An annular sealing ring 55 of any suitable resilient material such as neoprene or the like, lies against the shoulder at the end of the reduced portion H and prevents the lubricant from flowing inwardly between the axle and the sleeve 15, thereby insuring that the lubricant flows outwardly along the thrust surface 71 and through a clearance space 8| between the ring 5 and the tube 2. The lubricant then flows in between the bearing surface 14 and the tube and also flows inwardly around the end of the bearing bushing i2, through a passage 82 along y the key E3, into a clearance passage 83 between the two sleeves l0, l2, and which serves as a reservoir for the lubricant. A plurality of radial passages 34 conducts the lubricant from the reservoir space 83 to various points on the bearing surface M.

The right end or the tube 2 is closed by means of a closure collar 56, which closely but slidably embraces the end of the inner sleeve 53 and has an outer cylindrical surface which is threaded to engage internal threads 9! within the end of the tube 2. A flange 92 extends radially on the outer surface of the collar 95 and engages the end of the tube 2 but is of a smaller diameter than the outer diameter of the tube, to permit removal of the nut 22 from the threads 2| without disturbing the collar 9!). The collar also has a noncircular portion 93, preferably of hexagonal or square cross section, adapted to receive a wrench for tightening the collar 90 into the threads 9|. The last-named portion 93 of the collar 90 lies Ell, which are inserted within dowel sockets 98 in the end of the bearing bushing 12 and are welded to a steel washer 94 attached to said seal 95, as by cementing.

Lubricant is prevented from flowing axially outwardly between the sleeves ill, 12 by means of an annular sealing member Hill, which is disposed within an annular recess ill! in the end of the bushing 72, between the latter and the sleeve 1B. The annular sealing member we is made of suitable deformable resilient material, preferably oi neoprene, and is backed by a steel washer H32. A helical spring $03 encircles the sleeve it within the recess Edi and urges the annular sealing member Elli! outwardly toward the right, bearing against the washer 94 to force 1 the leather sealing member 95 into sliding or wiping contact with the inner face 96 of the collar 98, as the latter turns with the tube 2 during operation. Coincidentally, the spring 1G3 deforms the sealing member the latter outwardly into firm engagement with the bearing member l2 and sleeve ill to close the recess liii. The annular sealing members e5, Hill not only retain the lubricant within the bearing, but also exclude dirt, dust and grit which might otherwise pass between the closure collar 99 and the sleeve iii.

A felt washer Hi5 aids in excluding dust, and comprises an annular sealing member which closely embraces the axle between the outer end of the collar Elli and sleeve Hi, and is retained in sliding contact with the collar by means of a dust cap Hill having a central aperture iil'l adapted to closely encircle the axle, and a cupshaped body enclosing the end of the tube, the collar 99, and the nut 22, and has a radially outwardly extending flange Hill, which lies fiat against a corresponding flange Hi8 on the clamping ring it and is secured to the latter by bolts ltd.

We have found that the bearing construction shown and described herein is very effective in operation and is well protected against influx of dirt and grit and is therefore inherently long lived.

it will be noted that the disks 3 can easily be disassembled without disturbing the bearings by first removing the nut 29 and dismounting the axle bolt 25 from the frame 3!. The bolts m9 are then removed, permitting removal of the dust cap ltd, after which the nut 22 can be unscrewed and removed, releasing the clamping ring l8 and permitting the latter, the disks 3, and the spools 5 to be slipped off the end of the tube 2.

On the other hand, if it is desired to disassemble the bearings and remove the axle, the disks and spools can be left undisturbed, as the collar 90 is unscrewed from the end of the tube 2, exposing the pin 15, which can be slip ed out of the aperture in the axle, after which the inner sleeve it can be slid off the end of the axle 25, carrying with it the bearing sleeve 12 and the sealing devices 95, lilil. After removing the cap 5| on the other end of the tube 2, the entire axle can then Hill by expanding be pulled out of the left end of the tube, together with the bearing sleeve 35.

We claim:

'1. In a tubular bearing construction including a relatively stationary axle having a cylindrical bearing member fixed thereto, and a disk-supporting tube having disks mounted thereon and removable from one end of said tube, the latter embracing said axle and having said one end bearing upon the periphery of said bearing member, the combination therewith of lubricant seal means comprising a collar having an outer diameter less than the outer diameter of said tube and being threaded into said one end of said tube and embracing said axle to serve as a closure for said tube while permitting removal and assembly of disks on said tube without disturbing said collar, said bearing member having an annular recess in the end adjacent said collar, resilient annular sealing means encircling said axle and disposed within said recess in stationary rela tion to said bearing member and in sliding con-' tact with an adjacent radial face on said collar to form a lubricant retaining enclosure between said tube and said axle, and a dust cap detachably connected with said one end of said tube, being removable therefrom to accommodate removal of said disks from said tube, and enclosing said end of said tube, said collar and said annular sealing means.

2. The combination set forth in claim 1, including the further provision of an additional annular resilient sealing means encircling said axle and disposed in compression between said dust cap and said collar.

3. For use in a tubular bearing construction which includes an axle having a cylindrical bearing member, a tube embracing said axle and journaled on said bearing member, and a collar member fixed to the end of said tube serving as a closure therefor outside said bearing member and embracing said axle, said members having axially spaced radial faces, the improvement comprising a lubricant seal acting between said tube and axle and including resilient annular sealing means encircling said axle between the adjacent radial faces of said members and attached to one of the latter, and a helical spring encircling said axle between said sealing means and said one member and urging said sealing means into sliding contact with the other of said members to form a lubricant retaining enclosure between said tube and said axle,

4. For use in a tubular bearing construction which includes an axle having a cylindrical bear ing member, a tube embracing said axle and journaled on said bearing member, and a collar member fixed tothe end of said tube serving as a closure therefor outside said bearing member and embracing said axle, said members having axially spaced radial faces, one of said members having an annular recess in the radial face ad jacent the other member, the improvement comprising a lubricant seal acting between said tube and axle and including resilient annular sealing means encircling said axle and disposed within said recess in sliding contact with the adjacent radial face of said other member, and a helical spring encircling said axle within said recess and urging said sealing means into said sliding contact with the other member to form a lubricant retaining enclosure between said tube and said axle.

5. For use in a tubular bearing construction which includes an axle having a cylindrical bear- 'ing member, a tube embracing said bearing memher, and a collar fixed to the end of said tube serving as a closure therefor outside said bearing member and embracing said axle and having a radial face adjacent'said member, said hearing member having an annular recess in the end adjacent said collar, the improvement comprising a lubricant seal acting between said tube and axle and including resilient annular sealing means encircling said axle and disposed within said recess in stationary relation to said bearing member, and a helical spring encircling said axle within said recess behind said sealing means and urging the latter into sliding contact with the adjacent radial face of said collar to form a lubricant retaining enclosure between said tube and said axle.

6. For use in a tubular bearing construction of the type including an axle, a sleeve mounted thereon and fixed thereto, and a disk-supporting tube embracing; said axle and sleeve, the improvement comprising a bearing bushing mounted on and embracing said sleeve and keyed to the latter, a collar removably threaded into the end of said tube and serving as a closure therefor, said bearing bushing being recessed within the end adjacent said collar to lpI'OVidE a space between said bushing and said sleeve, a sealing member disposed about said sleeve adjacent the recessed end of said bearing bushing, means carried by the latter for urging said sealing member into engagement with said collar, a-seal acting between said sleeve and the recessed portion of said bearing member, and a helical compression spring encircling said sleeve within said recess and adapted to bear against said last mentioned seal and through the latter against said sealing means to urge the latter into sliding contact with the adjacent end face of said collar.

7. For use in a bearing construction including an axle, a bearing member rigidly mounted on said axle, a tube embracing said bearing member, and a collar fixed to the end of said tube serving as a closure therefor outside said bearing member and embracing said axle, the improvement comprising a lubricant seal construction including an annular recess in the end of said bearing member adjacent said collar, resilient annular sealing means encircling said axle and disposed within said recess in stationary relation to said bearing member, means for urging said resilient means into lubricant retaining and dust excluding contact with said axle and said bearing member, and r sealing member engaged by said annular sealing means and urged thereby into sealing engagement with said collar.

8. The invention set forth in claim 7, including the further provisions that said sealing member includes a wiping surface in sliding contact with the inner end surface of said collar and said annular sealing means includes a deformable portion disposed within said recess, and that said urging means is adapted to apply an axially directed force through said deformable portion to urge said wiping surface into said sliding contact and coincidentally deform said deformable portion into firm engagement with opposite sides of said recess.

9. The invention set forth in claim '7, including the further provisions that said sealing member includes a leather sealing ring in sliding contact with the inner end surface of said collar and said annular sealing means includes a rub ber-like ring disposed within said recess between said bearing member and said axle, and that said urging means comprises a spring adapted to apply an axially directed force through said rubberlike ring to urge said wiping surface into said sliding contact and coincidentally deform said rubber-like ring to close said recess.

10. For use in a bearing construction including an axle, a bearing member rigidly mounted on said axle, a tube embracing said bearing member, and a collar fixed to the end of said tube serving as a closure therefor outside said bearing member and embracing said axle, the im novcment including a lubricant seal construction comprising an annular recess in the end of said bearing member adjacent said collar, resilient annular sealing means comprising a leather ring having a radially extending flange in sliding contact with the inner end surface of said closure member and a cyiindrical flange disposed Within said recess between said bearing member and said axle, a spring within said recess adapted to apply an axially directed force through said cylindrical flange to urge said radial flange into said sliding contact and coincidentally deform said cylindrical flange to firmly close said recess.

11. For use in a tubular bearing construction which includes an axle having a shoulder, a sleeve on said axle, 1a disk-supporting tube, and a collar fixed to the end of said tube, the improvement comprising a resilient annular sealing means disposed between the inner end of said sleeve and said shoulder, means fixing said sleeve on said axle with said sealing means engaged therebetween to prevent leakage of lubricant under said sleeve, a cylindrical bearing member adapted to be detachably fixed on said sleeve and rotatably receiving said supporting tube, and sealing means acting between the outer end of said bearing member and the inner face of said collar.

ROLLIE H. MITCHELL. WILLIAM R. McKAY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,851,075 Ackenman Mar. 29, 1932 2,020,545 Goble Nov. 12, 1935 2,691,485 Panzegrau Aug. 31, 1937 2,135,192 Mitchell et N t. 1, 1938 2,199,761 Shenton- May 7, 1940 2,272,100 Thomas et al. Feb. 3, 1942 2,355,390 Murphy Aug. 8, 1944 

